Meet INHF's 2019 Summer Interns

By Rowan McMullen Cheng on June 10, 2019 in Blog

Statewide Land Stewardship Interns

Amanda Mackey

Hometown: Johnston, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Sideoats grama
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Forestry and Animal Ecology
“I’m excited to see the impact we have on the environment and the benefits of what we’re doing.”

Katelyn Moore

Hometown: Ames, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Prairie ragwort
University: University of Wisconsin - Riverfalls
Major(s): Conservation and Environmental Planning
“I’m most excited about learning more about different native plants, animals and landscapes.”

Rob Kreklau

Hometown: Grimes, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Wood sorrel
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Forestry
“I’m excited to explore Pike’s Peak and Northeastern Iowa in general.”

Riggs Wilson

Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Bur oak
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Forestry and Animal Ecology
“I’m excited to network and gain experience in habitat and wildlands management.”

Abbie Portz

Hometown: Hospers, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Paper birch trees
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Agronomy
“I’m excited to see the balance between agriculture and conservation as well as how INHF handles that balance.” 

Josh Dykstra

Hometown: Hospers, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Chinkapin oak
University: Dort College
Major(s): Environmental Science
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the different ecosystems and land types." 

Claire Carlson

Hometown: Ottumwa, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Bison
University: University of Iowa
Major(s): Geology
“I’m excited to get better at identifying plants and getting to know more native species.”

Ryan Strauss

Hometown: Dubuque, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Jewelweed
University: Central College
Major(s): Environmental Science
“I’m most excited to gain new connections and experiences in the conservation field."

Emma Kerns

Hometown: Edgewood, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Maidenhair fern
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Forestry
“I’m excited to be able to restore unique places in Iowa and get to see places I haven’t seen yet.”

Blufflands Stewardship Interns

Elison Wagner

Hometown: Columbus, NE
Favorite native plant/animal: Red-winged blackbird
University: Northwestern College
Major(s): Biology - Ecological Science
“I'm excited to learn land management strategies and tools, like learning how to use a chainsaw."

Devin Stortz

Hometown: Decorah, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Monarch butterfly
University: Cornell College
Major(s): Environmental Studies
“I’m most excited about getting outdoors and learning as much as a I can before going back to school.”

Joshua Crosbie

Hometown: North Liberty, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Bur oak
University: Upper Iowa University
Major(s): Conservation Management
“I’m excited to learn more about Iowa's native plants and to apply my educational background." 

Nick Houg

Hometown: North Liberty, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Bur oak
University: Upper Iowa University
Major(s): Conservation Management
“I’m excited to meet new people, learn new things and have new experiences.”

Melanie Bogert

Hometown: Marion, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Red-tailed hawk
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Forestry
“I'm excited for all the upcoming learning experiences, from working with staff, meeting landowners and getting to get to know and learn from the other interns.”

Office Interns

Abby Mankins | Conservation Programs Intern

Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Political Science and Environmental Studies
"I'm looking forward to learning more about INHF and Iowa's public lands. As an Iowan, I've seen many of our public lands but I'm excited to actually be a part of them." 

Madison Kelly | Graphic Design Intern

Hometown: Rochester, MN
Favorite native plant/animal: Harvest Mouse
University: Drake University
Major(s): Graphic Design and Magazine Media
"I'm excited to learn more about what INHF does by getting out on the land, seeing more of Iowa's prairies and learning more about our current projects."

Rowan McMullen Cheng | Communications Intern

Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Bloodroot
University: Iowa State University
Major(s):  Environmental Science (B.S)
"I'm looking forward to applying my conservation background to creatively increase awareness about the benefits of wild lands."

Ryan Smith | Legal Intern

Hometown: Mitchellville, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Groundhogs
University: Drake University
Major(s): Juris Doctorate with a certificate in agriculture and environment
"I’m interested in what INHF does and to see how my law skills will apply to conservation in Iowa.”